Five ways Volvo keeps company car drivers safer and can save your business
money

Think of Volvo and you’ll almost certainly think of safety. The manufacturer is renowned for producing cars that keep motorists out of harm’s way, and its V40 is the safest car ever rated by independent crash tester Euro NCAP.

Safer cars are cheaper cars for fleet operators, because they need fewer accident repairs and can cost less to insure. Even better, they help protect the workforce, thereby enabling employers to exercise their duty of care towards staff.

Here are just five of the ways that Volvo helps to make the world’s roads safer:

Collision prevention

Modern Volvos feature a number of collision-detection monitors, dramatically reducing the chances of a crash. These keep a virtual eye on the road ahead and warn the driver if there’s an obstacle in the way. If a driver seems to ignore these warnings when travelling at slower speeds, City Safety will even bring the car to a halt, thereby avoiding an impact.

Similar technology is used in Pedestrian Safety, which stops the car if someone steps out in front of it, and Cyclist Detection, which does likewise for people on bikes.

Blind spot Information System (BLIS)

Volvo has solved the problem of knowing when it’s safe to change lanes on a dual carriageway, with its Blind Spot Information System (BLIS). This sends radar signals out to monitor the driver’s blind spots, and warns them if a vehicle is in the way.

As a result, they know to stay put, and wait until the lane is clear.

Interior design

Sit behind the wheel of a Volvo and you’ll be confronted by one of the finest interiors of any car on the market, drawing on the company’s Scandinavian instinct for comfort, style and functionality. You’ll find it a very safe place to spend time, too. For example, the ignition is located in the centre of the dash rather than on the steering column, because that stops the keys injuring the driver in the event of a crash. And, of course, there’s no shortage of airbags and side-impact protection to keep occupants safe should the worst happen.

What’s more, the seats are designed in consultation with orthopaedic specialists, to ensure drivers and their passengers don’t suffer from bad backs. That’s especially attractive to fleet operators, who want to minimise sick leave among the workforce.

Ongoing innovation

Volvo takes road safety so seriously, it has its own process to ensure the development of ever-safer cars. The company’s head of business sales, Selwyn Cooper, explains: “This involves analysis of real accidents – of which our team has examined more than 40,000 since 1970 – and regular scrutiny of statutory safety requirements to ensure we either meet or exceed them. On the basis of this knowledge, we develop and rigorously test new safety equipment, before putting it into production across the Volvo range, and then start the process all over again.”

This approach has led to a number of important safety innovations over the years, including the three-point seatbelt in the 1950s, Side Impact Protection System (SIPS) in the 1990s, and collision-detection technology and passenger airbags in the 21st century.

A vision for safety

Volvo retains its keen focus on safety with the help of a bold ambition. As Selwyn Cooper reports: “By 2020, we aim that no one will be killed or seriously injured in a new Volvo.” That’s quite a target, and shows both Volvo’s confidence in its ability to build the world’s safest cars, and its passion for continuing to do so.

For business customers, Volvo’s concern for safety is seen in the new Co-Pilot programme. By working with a variety of specialist partners, including driver compliance experts Fleet 21, Co-Pilot provides a convenient way for fleet operators to keep their employees protected while they’re out on the road.

• Find out more about how Volvo can keep you, your employees and fleet safe at volvocars.co.uk or call the Volvo Car Business Centre on 0844 4905 210